Sunday, January 2, 2011

5S Concept: Application of Da'wah

5S is the name of a workplace organization methodology that uses a list of five Japanese words which are seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke. Transliterated or translated into English, they all start with the letter "S". The list describes how items are stored and how the new order is maintained. The decision-making process usually comes from a dialogue about standardization which builds a clear understanding among employees of how work should be done. It also instills ownership of the process in each employee.

There are 5 primary phases of 5S: sorting, straightening, systematic cleaning, standardizing and sustaining. Additionally, there are two other phases sometimes included, safety and security.

Although 5S is the workplace organization methodology, what is the application toward da'wah? Da'wah also is an organization which need this system.

1) Seiri: Sorting

Eliminate all unnecessary tools, parts, and instructions. Go through all tools, materials, and so forth in the plant and work area. Keep only essential items and eliminate what is not required, prioritizing things as per requirements and keeping them in approachable places. Everything else is stored or discarded.Application of da'wah: In da'wah also, we need to keep priority to some item and eliminate what is not required. For dai'e, must to keep consistent in attending usrah or halaqah and amar ma'ruf nahi munkar. The main tasks are to fully attend to the da'wah program or organize program and ignore the unimportant program.

2) Seiton: Straightening / Setting

There should be a place for everything and everything should be in its place. The place for each item should be clearly labeled or demarcated. Items should be arranged in a manner that promotes efficient work flow. Workers should not have to bend repetitively to access materials. Each tool, part, supply, or piece of equipment should be kept close to where it will be used – in other words, straightening the flow path. Seiton is one of the features that distinguishes 5S from "standardized cleanup". This phase can also be referred to as Simplifying.Application of da'wah: What is the mission of dai'e? The important of documentation and reporting are to make sure the da'wah is more organized and easy to know the da'wah progress for each dai'e. So, the flow of da'wah is more efficient and faster.

3) Seiso: Shining

Keep the workplace tidy and organized. At the end of each shift, clean the work area and be sure everything is restored to its place. This makes it easy to know what goes where and ensures that everything is where it belongs. A key point is that maintaining cleanliness should be part of the daily work – not an occasional activity initiated when things get too messy.Application of da'wah: Islam order to each Muslim for being clean and tidy on him/herself and place. Beside that, must also aware of the health to make sure always energized and powerfull to do da'wah and to worship Allah. The health and tidy Muslim show the good appearance of Islam to non-Muslim and this is a method of da'wah.
Sabda Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.: النظفة من الايمان

4) Seiketsu: Standardize

Work practices should be consistent and standardized. Everyone should know exactly what his or her responsibilities are for adhering to the first 3S's.Application of da'wah: A Muslim or dai'e must maintain in practical Rukun Islam and Rukun Iman. The standard show that our religion have the best guidance which are Al-Quran and As-Sunnah and we need to consistent in our amal.

5) Shitsuke: Sustain

Maintain and review standards. Once the previous 4 S's have been established, they become the new way to operate. Maintain focus on this new way and do not allow a gradual decline back to the old ways. While thinking about the new way, also be thinking about yet better ways. When an issue arises such as a suggested improvement, a new way of working, a new tool or a new output requirement, review the first 4 S's and make changes as appropriate.Application of da'wah: After review the previous 4S, lastly, the Muslim and dai'e must sustain and maintain the method to make sure our step and our mission still keep on track. Let follow the Nabi Muhammad and the Sahabat step which maintain the da'wah work, so, the da'wah still keep on track until now. Thankful to them for their hardwork and brilliant job. So, now, this is our turn to do the da'wah job. Let's do it!

Safety & Security
A sixth phase, "Safety", is sometimes added. While it is reasonable to assume that a properly planned and executed 5S program will improve workplace safety, some argue that explicitly including this sixth "S" ensures that workplace safety is given at least a secondary consideration.
A seventh phase, "Security", can also be added. In order to leverage security as an investment rather than an expense, the seventh "S" identifies and addresses risks to key business categories including fixed assets, material, human capital, brand equity, intellectual property, information technology, assets-in-transit and the extended supply chain.Application of da'wah: It is same with another situation such as during work, rest, playing and driving, the safety and security is very important. It is more important when doing da'wah. Must always careful what we want to do, to say and to argue. Being a dai'e, not all people or mad'u love and like us. There are also have Abu Lahab, Abu Jahal and Abdullah bin Ubai nowadays.

Conclusion, it is important to have continuous education about maintaining standards. The 5S methodology give us guideline to work in standard and very good to implement it. Same with da'wah, this is also opportunity for dai'e to implement it into da'wah and prove it that Islam also can have the professional standard. Wallahua'lam...